Ofsted’s new single framework for the inspection of local authority services for vulnerable children will come into effect from November 2013. The framework will bring together child protection, services for looked after children and care leavers, and local authority fostering and adoption services. Inspection gradings have been revised so that anything less than ‘good’ …

An alliance of 40 charity chiefs and experts is today urging members of the Lords to seize a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to change the law to give young people in foster care the same start in adult life as their peers. Dozens of prominent figures are supporting a move to stop teenagers being forced out …

Barnardo’s is calling for more specialist support and care for sexually exploited children in care. Barnardo’s wants more specialist support for sexually exploited children. Image: Phil Adams The children’s charity wants local authorities to consider using specialist foster care to provide the best possible support for sexually exploited and trafficked children. It …

The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has called for an urgent review of how best to support children within the child protection system in the wake of the serious case review (SCR) findings into the death of Keanu Williams. NCB chief Hilary Emery says there needs to be a “culture change” in child protection. Image: …

The entire adoption system could be significantly damaged unless proposed reforms are reconsidered, Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association (LGA) have warned Councils currently recruit and assess four in every five adopters. Image: Morguefile Under government plans featured in the Children and Families Bill being debated in the House of Commons today, the Education Secretary …

Barnardo’s is calling for more to be done to help children in care move to adulthood. Care leavers in England need support for longer, the UK’s largest children’s charity says. Now Barnardo’s is calling for the cut off age for support to be raised from 21 to 25 for all care leavers for the first …